ADHC is a provider of services to older people, people with disability, their families and carers, and is also a major funder of the NGO sector. In 2012-13 ADHC will provide $1.4bn to some 550 NGOs and 100 local councils. 

The NGOs funded by ADHC are independent, legally constituted organisations (such as companies limited by guarantee, Associations Incorporated, co-operatives). They have value and strength in their diversity. They vary considerably in the scale of their operations, specialisation and the places that they deliver services. Many have a range of funding relationships, undertake other activities, and have different ways of engaging with the local communities. 

Our services are delivered under three programs:

• Home and Community Care (HACC) 
• Disability, and
• Ageing

ADHC also manages grants to organisations to deliver activities as part of NSW Seniors Week.

Funding reform

The Position Statement: The Future of Sourcing Disability Funded Services in NSW 2011 – 2016 (PDF) sets out ADHC's position on longer term funding reform.

It is based on key directions for an investment strategy that will set the right conditions for the services sector to accommodate the diverse needs and choices of people with disability, their families and carers. The Position Statement describes how ADHC will reform how it engages with the non-government service sector, through moving away from a purchasing approach to long-term investment.

A discussion paper prepared by PwC, Potential contribution of the NGO sector to deliver more and better services to people with a disability (PDF), explores avenues for attracting additional revenue into the disability NGO sector and building its asset base. The paper investigates potential arrangements for enabling NGOs to optimise their resources and access other sources of funding and finance in order to increase their capacity to grow, be sustainable, and deliver appropriate services and supports to the community.

Policy for Direct Allocation

ADHC has a policy to support direct allocation of funding to NGOs where there is benefit to people with disability, their families and carers or to the service system as a whole. A fact sheet on direct allocation (PDF) explains ADHC's approach.

Direct allocation involves identifying the best match between service provider and identified need and allocating the money directly to that organisation without undertaking a tender or expression of interest process. Direct allocation is one of a range of methods available to ADHC staff for sourcing and selecting the best service provider for a desired outcome.

The Policy for Direct Allocation is designed to assist ADHC staff to identify:

• when direct allocation is the best funding method for the circumstances; and
• the most suitable service provider to deliver the desired outcomes.

It supports fair, transparent and efficient decision making processes.

The Policy for Direct Allocation (PDF) will be reviewed at the end of 2012 to ensure that it is effective and consistent with other reforms being implemented by ADHC.

Funding peak activities

ADHC funds a small group of NGOs whose primarily role is to promote the rights, inclusion and empowerment of older people, people with disability, their families and carers, as well as industry representatives whose role is to provide advice and support to NGOs. Peaks funding is designed to facilitate:

• planning for services to meet the needs of people with disability, their families and carers
• advocating for and representing the interests of people with disability
• giving people with disability, their families and carers a voice into the development of services and policies that effect them
• supporting NGOs to deliver quality services and support.

Funded peak bodies complete Triennial Service Plans in line with the guidelines. Templates for these returns can be found in the Triennial Service Peak Guidelines (PDF)

Grants

NSW Seniors Week grants

Applications are invited each year from community organisations for grants to hold local events during NSW Seniors Week.

Read more about NSW Seniors Week grants.

Ageing Grants Program

The Ageing Grants Program supports a range of services and projects to meet the needs of older people in NSW. These include peak bodies in the ageing, early intervention, dementia advisory services and referral services.

The Ageing Grants Program is currently being reformed by the Office for Ageing to ensure that it better aligns with the NSW Ageing Strategy.

Application to deliver the Self Managed Model in Day and Post School Programs

This form is for organisations that wish to apply to deliver the Self Managed Model in Day and Post School Programs. Applications will be accepted from organisations that are already approved to provide the Community Participation, Life Choices and Active Ageing programs, and have attended the information sessions conducted by ADHC and National Disability Services in November 2011.

If you currently offer the Post School Options program and not Community Participation, Life Choices and Active Ageing, please contact ADHC on 1800 761 030 to discuss.

Application to deliver the Self Managed Model in Day and Post School Programs (DOC)